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Colombian flower growers to conquer the Eastern European market

From August 30 to September 2, 30 domestic companies will showcase their products at the Flowers Expo 2011 exhibition in Russia with the support of Proexport Colombia.

Thirty Colombian businessmen are traveling to Moscow to participate in Flowers Expo 2011, one of the leading international specialized trade fairs in order to open new business opportunities in Russia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Poland.

Exporters will be in Moscow between August 30 and September 2 with the support of Proexport Colombia and the entrepreneurs registered in Bogota will also have the support of the District Department of Economic Development of the Mayor's Office.

This year the Colombian participation will be more robust and include a sample of roses, hydrangeas, mini coves, carnations, mini carnations, alstroemeria and some foliage.

In addition, the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores) will also have a stand named 'Colombia, Land of Flowers', an exhibition which is also supported by Proexport.

Employers can not only offer their products, but also meet with the main buyers of Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as producers and sellers of live flowers and plants from other countries, developers, producers and sellers of machinery and technological equipment for the sector, as well as logistics service providers.

They will also get to know the current product development of the flower companies and attend master classes on floral arrangements, trends and new technologies.

As a novelty, Colombia's exhibition stand will, for the first time, boast the participation of a preserved flower company, a leader in the production of such products which, through a conservation process, maintain their natural appearance and extend their useful life through chemical processes.

The Colombian delegation's trip is part of the Colombian Support Plan led by Proexport for the exporters affected by the rains, the non-renewal of the ATPDEA with the United States, and the revaluation of the Colombian Peso. The strategy consists of over 50 events worldwide and 1,100 beneficiaries through December 2011.

"Unlike other markets, the Russian one requires flowers with very high quality standards and is willing to pay for them. It is a market that offers the best prices, good volume and advance payments," said Jose Luis Ardila, Inversiones Bellaflor, which will showcase rose varieties like freedom, topaz, latina and vendela.

On his part, Luis Fernando Rada, from the Group of Flower Exporters and Growers of Antioquia (GEFFA), will present what is known as novelties. "We will bring hydrangeas in several forms such as mini green, white, blue, green and antique or aged. We also carry purple and pink hydrangeas, orange, pink and chocolate colored mini coves; we have an interesting supply of exotic flowers," he said.

Rada also said that their participation in the fair is intended to start exporting to Russia. "It is one of the largest markets in the world. A disadvantage is the distance, but buyers appreciate quality and beauty."

This is precisely the goal of all participants, given that Russia, apart from being the platform of choice for entering the market in Eastern Europe, is the second destination for Colombian flowers after the United States.

In 2010, exports to this market grew 41.1 percent over 2009, with exports in the amount of $60.6 million compared to $42.9 million, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, based on figures from DANE.

The positive export balance demonstrates the high popularity that Colombian flowers have among the Russians, who emphasize on their quality thanks to factors like altitude, temperature and soil where they are grown.

All of the above features make Colombian flowers unique, with large buds, fixed and intense colors, thick stems and green and clean foliage, plus the ability to have year-round production.